Shangri-La outlines expansion plans
Originally published on www.businesstravellerme.com 27/01/2012 - Filed under: News »
Shangri-La Dubai hosted a small function on its 42nd floor last night, designed to celebrate Chinese New Year and outline the group's expansion plans.
Maria Kuhn, Director of Corporate Communications, said it has 45 properties under construction, 23 of which are in China.
Despite its Chinese focus, its development profile has a broad international flavour.
A new golf course - the first in the Maldives - is due to open at its Villingili resort on March 1, and its Toronto property will open August 7 at 1pm - the precise timing designed to coincide with the 8th in Asia (1am Hong Kong time), eight being a lucky number in Chinese culture.
Guests will need a head for heights at some of the high-rise newcomers.
A 410-room Mumbai hotel is due to open in the third quarter, on top of the high-end Phoenix shopping mall. Guests will arrive in the lobby on level 9 by six express elevators.
London is coming up in the first quarter of next year at the Shard. "We're opening on purpose after the Olympics," said Kuhn. "We occupy the top portion and our lobby is on the same height of the London Eye - so you get an idea how high it is."
A third 500-room property will open in Shanghai, the Jing An Shanghai in Puxi, opposite the existing two hotels on the Pudong side. Other hotels slated to open this year are in Qinhuangdao and Tangshan.
In the Middle East, Coen Masselink has been appointed general manager of Shangri-La Doha and Traders, which will open in 2013. Abu Dhabi is earmarked to have a second property, on Saadiyat Island, although no contract has yet been signed.
A 188-room Istanbul hotel is due to open in first quarter next year and two properties are coming up in Sri Lanka, one in a prime spot in Colombo, and another resort, which will open first. Both are due to open around 2014/15.
Click here for a full list of upcoming developments.
The group is relaunching its website early March, providing each hotel with more tailored information (each hotel willl have its own press room, for example).
Last week, Shangri-La banned shark fin from its menus across all 72 hotels.
"It's drawn a lot of attention. We're also phasing out Bluefin tuna and Chilean sea bass by the end of the year. It's the right thing to do and we're moving ahead with it, although banqueting orders that have already been confirmed will be honoured until the end of the year."
For more information, visit shangri-la.com
Report by Dominic Ellis
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